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Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel (AGC) will primarily research, review and advise on labor and employment matters and litigation management, as needed. The AGC will work closely with Human Resources and Program operations to support and advise on correspondence, policies, procedures and to provide opinions, guidance and education with regard to specific questions, disciplinary, performance or other employee relations issues, engaging with outside counsel, when needed to address more complex matters. The AGC will also serve as a legal generalist, supporting the General Counsel by participating in legal matters relating to an array of other matters including contracts, corporate governance, legal trainings and compliance.

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary legal resource for Human Resources (HR) department, working closely with HR leadership and other stakeholders to provide employment law advice and counseling to support a variety of labor and employment related matters concerning staff in New York, New Jersey and California.

• Provides legal counsel and strategic advice on labor and employment related matters including inquiries from HR team relating to hiring, termination, disciplinary and performance matters, employee investigations, benefits, compensation, work hours, time and attendance and general employee relations matters and drafts or edits legal documents and/or correspondence.

• Responds to, or provides support to Paralegal in responding to, requests for information from external entities to HR or other departments, including third-party subpoenas, Authorizations for Release of Health Information, employment records requests and compliance related document requests.

• Drafts, reviews, revises and provides legal insights on HR-related and other organization-wide policies and procedures and recommends updates and new policies to address specific labor and employment issues, regulations or other legislation.

• Engages with outside counsel as needed to address or seek expertise on complex labor and employment or other issues.

• Manages and drives strategy for all litigation and pre-litigation matters, including but not limited to conducting factual research, case management, drafting and issuing legal preservation notices, facilitating discovery requests, overseeing subpoena responses and managing outside counsel. Coordinates with Paralegal to update internal litigation tracker.   

• Creates, updates and facilitates education and training sessions for HR, program management or other staff on a variety of labor and employment related topics. 

• Stays abreast of employment law-related legislation, regulations and legal developments in the areas of labor and employment, making recommendations for appropriately addressing changes to HR and other stakeholders.

• Assists General Counsel with supporting the broader agency and handling general legal matters beyond labor and employment, including participating in the drafting, reviewing, negotiating and/or providing advice on a variety of other agreements and documents such as contracts and lease documents or ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory/statutory obligations. 

• Performs related duties as directed. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g., lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; and

• Admitted to practice law in New York State with current NYS Attorney Registration, in good standing, with NYS Office of Court Administration; and

• Five (5) years of legal experience in employment law and litigation, ideally in a non-profit, healthcare and/or educational setting.

• Ability to build strong collaborative partnerships with a strong customer focus and consultative approach across functional lines and at many levels across the organization.

• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation/training skills, including the ability to effectively explain and advise on complex legal issues to stakeholders at varying levels.

• Highly organized, flexible and proactive team player with the ability to work autonomously and appropriately prioritize multiple, dynamic priorities to meet deadlines.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to quickly learn new software and/or electronic systems.

• Ability to report on-site to our Manhattan office at least three (3) days per week in accordance with the Agency’s Return to Office Policy and to travel regularly across assigned region and occasionally across other regions within state of operations and/or to other states as needed for meetings or as requested. 

• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including the ability to sit for extended periods, lift and carry files or documents weighing up to 10 pounds and move around the office.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Admitted to practice law, as an active member in good standing, with the State Bar of California.

• Experience as an in-house attorney, ideally in a nonprofit and tax-exempt organization.

• Experience or familiarity with Medicaid, in healthcare and/or the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) field.

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Salary: $160K-$190K

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.